Hat-trick hero Bozzard helps end losing run

TOM Bozzard's hat-trick helped Cinderford banish memories of their first home defeat for nearly a year and keep in touch with National One's top four.

The Foresters responded perfectly to last weekend's defeat by Blaydon with their second away win of the season, which also brought a bonus point.

Two straight defeats had begun to derail the Dockham Road side's early momentum but the five-try victory will feel even better with an afternoon off next Saturday before they welcome leaders Ealing.

The home side began proceedings with a try from full-back Andrew Riley after eight minutes which was converted by fly-half Tom Carlisle, who then improved their lead further with a penalty nine minutes later.

But the visitors fought back on 21 minutes with prop Joe Smart – switched to tight head for the injured Tom Heard – bursting over for the first of five forwards' tries.

Fly-half Mark Davies converted and then levelled the scores at 10-10 with a penalty on the half-hour mark.

Hooker Bozzard then got the first of his three scores four minutes later after good work by his pack, but Davies was off target with the conversion.

The stand-off did find his form three minutes before the break, though, kicking a second successful penalty to edge his side 18-10 ahead at half-time.

The Tigers blasted out of the blocks at the start of the second period and Riley's second try but Carlisle's conversion missed, as the hosts pulled to within three points.

But the Cinderford front-row demolition continued when Bozzard dotted down for his second try of the day and Davies' kick opened up a comfortable ten-point gap on 48 minutes.

Park kept in touch with their third score from big number eight Juan Crous on 55 minutes, converted by Carlisle to close to within three points yet again.

However, Cinderford number eight George Evans made a great impact from the replacements bench by grabbing the all-important fourth try for a bonus point moments later, Davies restoring the ten-point cushion.

Bozzard then accepted his third and his team's fifth try on 65 minutes, Davies once again splitting the posts to push Cinderford 17 points ahead and give Park a mountain to climb.

Crous bashed through for a consolation score at the death to seal a four-try bonus point for Fylde – replacement Steve Collins converting – but it was too little and too late for the strugglers.

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